Requesting an early copy

What an early copy is here

An early copy (publishers call it an ARC, an advance reader copy) is a protected file an author delivers to readers who agreed to read and review, before or around a launch. On Booklabria the whole thing happens in one place: the author runs a campaign, you request, the author decides, you read the book on Booklabria, download a protected copy or have it sent to your Kindle (the author chooses which ways, per campaign; with more than one, you pick), and your review carries the early reader badge. It costs nothing, and readers never pay for anything here.

Finding campaigns

• Early copies in the top bar lists open campaigns under Free early copies, each with the reasons it fits you.
• Free early copies on Home shows the same, as a tab of your feed.
• A book with an open campaign shows Request this copy in its early copy module, the first thing under the title, with the spots taken, the day applications close, how the copy is delivered (read on Booklabria, a protected download, sent to your Kindle, or a choice of them), the requirements as a checklist and a line from the author; the request dialog names the review deadline. Once you have asked, the button reads Request sent and points you to My early copies for its status; a full campaign says Campaign full. Your own follow-through (copies done, reviews on time) is shown beside it.
• An author's page shows Request early copy on the masthead while a campaign is open, and Seeking advance readers in the side rail (in the highlights strip on a phone); both lead to the book page.

The reasons shown come openly from your genres, tropes and language set against the campaign's targeting. They inform the author; they never decide for them.

Requesting

1. On the book page (or from Early copies), press Request this copy.
2. Write a note to the author (up to 500 characters): why this book, and how you review. A sentence or two is plenty.
3. Send request. The button reads Request sent.

If a requirement is not met or the slots are gone (Campaign full), the request is disabled with the reason. There is no waitlist: watch Early copies, campaigns reopen when an author widens them.

If you hold a verified professional badge and the campaign approves that type automatically, you are approved the moment you request (Verified professional badges).

After you request

Track it under My early copies on the Early copies page:

• Pending: waiting on the author. Cancel request withdraws it; you can request again while the campaign stays open.
• Approved: the copy is yours to read here, download or have sent to your Kindle, as the campaign delivers it (a campaign that offers more than one way shows Choose how to read with a card for each; see Reading or downloading your early copy); the book lands on your From authors shelf, marked with the pen name and the date the review is due, and the deadline stays on the request in My early copies.
• Declined: the author chose others; nothing about it is held against you.

You are told of the decision under the bell (and by e-mail at once if early copy e-mails are on: they are never held for the digest). See Early copy reviews and your follow-through for what happens after you read.